Former Central Finland director wants her job back but may have to reapply

Former Central Finland wellbeing services county director Piia Vuorela wants to reverse the termination of her public-service employment, but the county board chair says she would have to apply for the post again, Yle reports.

Vuorela sent a letter to county councillors on Monday saying she remains available for the director’s position and is willing to appear before the council. She said a survey on psychosocial strain among senior management had not produced results by the time she decided to leave. She also said she had been pressured to resign and that doing so did not reflect her wishes.

County board chair Jani Ylälehto said he did not recognise the claims of pressure. He said the matter was not a resignation but the termination of Vuorela’s public-service employment during her probationary period, which cannot be reversed under the law. Lawyers are reviewing the matter, he said, but his understanding is that nothing can now be done apart from Vuorela applying again.

The county board is due to discuss the recruitment process at an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday. Vuorela’s notice of departure is also on the agenda for Tuesday’s county council meeting.

Vuorela announced her departure last Wednesday. Her probationary period was due to end on October 22. She said her pace of change had been too fast.